Narberth 40 pts. Carmarthen Athletic 38

In an incredible game which was a terrific advertisement for Division One West, the local derby at Narberth appeared to be a lost cause for the Otters five minutes into the second half, when they trailed 25-9.

Somehow the Narberth players dug deep and produced a 15-minute burst of magical rugby, not only to make good the deficit, but also to take the lead which was held, albeit narrowly, until the end of a marvellous match.

Despite the defeat, Carmarthen Athletic hove moved to the top of the table along with Whitland and Waunarlwydd as a result of obtaining a bonus point for getting so close to the Narberth total and for scoring five tries.

The first half belonged to Carmarthen Athletic, who produced the goods from the start, relishing the ideal conditions as the visitors created and finished off points scoring opportunities.

Outside–half Stewart Morris gave the visitors the lead after 10 minutes with a penalty kick, which was increased three minutes later by full-back Toby Smith. The young player, familiar to supporters of both Tenby United and Narberth, judged his run into the line perfectly to benefit from a precision cross-kick by Stewart Morris.

Smith went over the line in the right corner and Stewart Morris converted from the touchline.

Toby's brother, Sam Smith, scored the next try. The talented number eight finished off another good movement by the Red and Blacks to score a try converted by Stewart Morris.

The accurate boot of Rhys Davies kept the Otters in touch with two penalty kicks, but Stewart Morris was on target again for the visitors with a penalty kick

An injury time penalty from Rhys Davies reduced the deficit to 11 points at the break.

The opening minutes of the second half should have knocked the stuffing out of the Otters, when winger Rhys Thomas touched down for an unconverted try after five minutes.

It followed a defence-splitting break by Red and Blacks scrum-half Rhys Lane.

Somehow the Otters got back into the game.

Winger Nick Jones scored two tries in quick succession, the second of which followed another penalty from Rhys Davies, who left the field as his brother Aled made his first league appearance of the season.

Aled Davies had a hand in the second try with a well-judged inside pass.

The first Jones try was not converted, but young fullback Adam Phillips converted the second.

Skipper Steve Martin scored the third try with a defence-splitting break in a diagonal run before getting the touchdown in the left corner. It put the Otters in front for the first time and Adam Phillips put the icing on the cake with a conversion with a cool kick from the touchline.

A penalty kick by Stewart Morris put the Red and Blacks just three points adrift, but a penalty kick by Adam Phillips again extended the Narberth lead..

In mounting tension, an unconverted try by centre Rhys Lewis narrowed the gap to one point, with everything to play for in the closing minutes.

Another penalty by Adam Phillips calmed the nerves of the Narberth supporters, which were eased further by Phillips when he slotted over his third penalty of the afternoon.

Right at the death, replacement scrum-half Scott Maynard scored a try for Carmarthen Athletic in the right corner from a tapped penalty.

Maynard's injury time try came off the last move in the game, but Stewart Morris was unable to convert a difficult touchline conversion and the game ended in a win for Narberth, which was completely unexpected five minutes into the second half.

Speaking after the match, Otters director of rugby Jonathan Dodd said: "We did well to get a win against a top of the league team. The coaches were disappointed with our defence and the fact that we gave away so many tries. We will be hoping to put this right in the next couple of weeks."

Team manager for the visitors, Stuart Harris, said: "It was disappointing to lose after our first half build-up which established a lead of 11 points.

"It was also disappointing that we could not get going in the first 20 minutes of the second half as it brought Narberth back into the game.

"However, it was a good game to watch and if the conversion from our late try had gone over at the end to make it 40-all, it would have been a fairer result.

"It is not often that a side comes down to Narberth, scores five tries and still loses the game!"

Narberth outside-half Rhys Davies was nominated man-of-the-match by the match sponsors, Lloyd Animal Feeds and DP Building Supplies.

The match ball sponsors were Colin Jenkins and guests, as well as John R. Davies and Graham Searle with their guests.

In a match where both teams played well at various times, Rhys Davies was outstanding for the Otters and there were other strong performances from centre Richard Davies and flanker Gareth Bateman.

For the visitors, there were eye-catching displays by Stewart Morris, scrum-half Rhys Lane, and centre Rhys Lewis. Up front, Sam Smith carried the ball well and skipper Henry Boot performed well in line-outs.

Narberth fielded: Adam Phillips, Tom Bonnell (Jonathan Morgan), Steve Martin (capt.), Richard Davies, Nick Jones, Adrian Killa, Rhys Davies (Aled Davies), Sean Lloyd (Nathan Bowen), Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Rob Weston (Colin Davies), Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Jake Iles (Wayne Williams) and Timoci Kaumaitotoya.